Humility and Consecration (MTC week 2)

 

Here we go again. Every time I sit down at this computer to email you there is a timer in the upper right hand corner and it is SUPER stressful. 30 minutes. I feel like Han Solo piloting the Millennium Falcon: "CHEWY! Get us out of here!" and then blast off into outer space. I promise I will type as fast as I can for 30 minutes.

We'll start with some funny stories.

1. This hermana in my district (there are 6 of us in a room for 4. We love it and all get along really well, though closet space is limited.) who really reminds me of Julianne Taylor, was telling us a funny story about her Mom and said, "yeah. My mom's not the sharpest crayon in the box." (I'll let you figure that one out for yourselves.)

 

2. The hermana who sleeps on the bunk below me SNOOOORES. And I mean snores. Well first she starts breathing deeply, then she goes through a series of sighs. THEN she snores. I lay in my bed and just laugh every night at the predictability. "And 3, 2, 1, cue snoring." But when I get sick of it, I just put my hand against the wall and push really hard back and forth to shake the whole bed so she'll roll over. It's quite a process every night and amuses me greatly.

 

3. I have discovered why MTC food gives people problems. Now, understand that I have been eating really well. No cookies, donuts, cake, burgers, fries, and limited ice cream. But even I get stomach cramps and feel awful sometimes after meals. I think it has to be just because we sit ALL day long and then rush to the cafeteria, scarf down food, and then go sit some more. So our stomachs can't digest properly. They're all bunched up. The food here is actually really good, and good for you. If you're not an 18 yr old boy. hahah one elder in my district puts peanut butter on his pancakes before putting on syrup in order to get protein and "make it more healthy."

 

This week I have been learning a lot about humility. With my companion, with investigators, with members that we share thoughts with at the TRC, with teachers, I have learned that the more I forget myself the better. I am so happy when my own wants and needs aren't even on the radar. You know how when I get an assignment I tend to just throw myself at it until either it or I am completely finished? Well last week when everyone was talking about being the BEST missionary you can possibly be and "working as hard as you possibly can" so you have no regrets, I threw myself into this work. I literally spared no moments to be studying something. But I soon realized that life could not be supported this way and that my companion was suffering because of my frantic work ethic. So I learned to slow down, to completely dedicate myself but to smile too and to take time to love those around me and just be still and listen to the spirit. That is one wonderful thing about my companion. She teaches me to be still and listen. Hermana Townsend (my companion) is so down to earth and gentle. We get along really well. Our leaders actually have asked us to try to set an example for other companionship's because we seem to just be so unified. The trick is just loving her and forgetting myself. It means walking on the outside of the stairs so that she has to take fewer steps as we go up several stories, or ironing her clothes for her in the morning, or asking her to grab me an apple. Serve, and be served. That is happiness. I heard a quote in devotional that I just loved this week. "If you're not happy with your lot in life, build a service station on it." That describes what I've been trying to do. Heavenly Father has given me a vision of the light and cheer I can bring to others if charity and love are my focus, and if I am centered on Christ's example, and every day is a joy when lived like this.

I am also learning to consecrate myself. I sure love you dear people. Every time I receive a letter I just quiver all over until I get to go back to my residence hall at night and read it. Thank you for your kind words and all the letters. You have no idea what it means to me. However, if I didn't have you, I would still love the Lord and still want to be doing His work now. So I try not to think about you except on P-days. And then I open up my box of emotions and get to talk to you and be with you as I think about you. Then at the end of the day I put it all away and try not to dwell on thoughts of you until the next P-day.

I miss hugging Dad every night when he comes in, but I have found that on my knees each night as I am praying I have the same feeling. Prayer is such a wonderful thing. I hope that you all embrace the gift that it is from heavenly Father. It is our chance to rest. To tell Him how hard we've worked and ask if He is pleased and just breathe in His love and Spirit. It is also the chance to ask how you should be changed the next day. I have come to rely on prayer more than ever before in my life. Let me just tell you that when you rely on the Lord, and recharge your Spirit through prayer every night and morning, nothing in the world can dampen your spirits throughout the day. I've been trying to understand better the language of the Spirit. Dear family, the most important thing I want to tell you I have learned is that the Spirit cannot teach a murmuring heart. And it is so hard to have a murmuring heart if you truly open it to the Spirit! The way to happiness is so easy if we just open our hearts to the Savior, forget about our own silly wants, and seek to do what the Spirit is telling us. Bask in the Spirit! Savor the feelings you get from it like you savor the first mornings of spring. Be still and ponder on what you feel, why God would want you to feel that way, and what a privilege it is to have a heart that is penetrable by the Spirit of God. And EVERY DAY ask God what more you can sacrifice to have the Spirit more.

 Todo mi corazon,

Hermana Rosalinda Carter

Also we are in the MTC choir for the MTC wide sacrament meeting on Easter. A general authority is coming. It's going to be amazing. Also, watch the in between of general conference sessions. They're doing a special on the MTC and have been filming around and you might see either Carolyn or I in the choir. They zoomed in on us both at separate times.